Things You Need To Replace More Often

We all have fallen behind on our housekeeping at some point in our lives and to be honest, there’s nothing that can be done about it. The everyday pressures take up most of our time. However, one sin (don’t worry it’s a venial sin, there’s hope for you still) that cannot go unpunished is when you keep on using things that should’ve been cast out much before. Yes, we are talking about that lipstick that you keep on using despite knowing that it expired six months ago.

Well, you might not realize this but a lot of things that you use around the house should be replaced quite frequently, even though they might not show signs of wear and tear. In order to make you better informed, we have created a list of such things that need to be replaced frequently and that too diligently, for the benefit of your family. Here’s a friendly reminder that you need to change your:

1. Toothbrush

Unless you really go to town with the toothbrush on your teeth, it is sure to last longer than 4 months without being worn out. But, even if it doesn’t have any frayed bristles, you should replace your toothbrush every 3–4 months or sooner even if it’s not showing signs of wear and tear (1). This will help you keep your dental hygiene in tip-top condition.

2. Makeup

This is a worthy addition to this list. Yes, we know makeup costs a lot. And you didn’t even get to use your lipstick completely. But despite all your protests we would like to tell you that in the interest of maintaining your good looks, you should not prolong the use of makeup beyond its stated shelf life (2). Even if the makeup hasn’t gone bad. Doing so puts you at risk of skin infections and breakouts.

3. Hairbrush

Why a hairbrush? Well, for one, you might not have seen the dust and grime that’s been collecting on it since ages. And also, it’s really difficult to identify when a hairbrush has lived its life. The rolling brushes that you use to style your hair along with a blow dryer are more susceptible to damage. However, if you see the little balls attached to the ends of the bristles coming off in any hairbrush, it might be time to bid them goodbye.

4. Makeup Brushes

Apart from not cleaning them often enough, we are also guilty of holding onto the makeup brushes for longer than necessary. If you notice the bristles of the brushes falling out or their edges fraying, then it might be time to throw them in the bin.

5. Razors

Did you know a blunt razor is more likely to cause an injury than a brand new one? You are also more likely to get an infection from using a razor that had been sitting and gathering dust for a while. Ideally, you should replace a razor after every 5–10 uses (3). However, that might be expensive in the long run. So you can opt for a razor where you can replace the cartridge after every 5–10 uses.

6. Pillows

You might not realize this bedfellow of yours is also the breeding ground for a lot of germs as it has been sitting there collecting your drool, sweat and of course, the dust mites over the years. While sanitizing and washing the pillow might seem like a solution to this problem, it won’t help maintain the structural integrity of the pillow. And that is very important as it provides support to our neck while we are sleeping. Therefore, it’s ideal to replace a pillow after 1–2 years of continuous use (4).

7. Kitchen Sponge

A week — that’s how long that kitchen sponge should be sitting on your kitchen shelf before you throw it in the trash. Not a day more than that. A recent study has found that kitchen sponges that have been sitting out for too long are hosts to bacteria which is found to be responsible for causing typhoid, cholera and even food poisoning (5).

8. Cutting Boards

While it might be up for debate which is a better choice when it comes to the cutting board — plastic or wood, one thing is sure that while this multi-purpose kitchen implement can take a beating, it also has a definite shelf life. When you find that the cutting board has developed grooves due to frequent use, it is time to replace it. This is because those grooves provide a hospitable breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella (6). And no, don’t try to repurpose it as a serving tray. It’s better to just chuck it, once and for all.

Now that we have given you a good idea of the shelf-life of these everyday household items, we hope you are going to replace all that needs to be replaced as a part of your spring cleaning and make it an annual ritual. Just remember that the cost of replacing these items is not comparable to the health and happiness of your family.

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